Apex Trader Funding Review
Complete guide to Apex rules, pricing, payouts, and whether it's right for your trading
Disclosure: QuantCrawler has an affiliate relationship with Apex Trader Funding. If you sign up through our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This review reflects our honest assessment regardless of this relationship.
Apex Trader Funding Overview
Apex Trader Funding has become one of the most popular futures prop firms since launching in 2021. Known for simple rules, aggressive promotions, and a trader-friendly evaluation structure, Apex has funded thousands of traders.
The standout feature is the lack of a daily drawdown limit - you only have a trailing drawdown that eventually locks. This makes Apex more forgiving for traders who might have a rough morning but recover by the afternoon.
This review covers everything you need to know: rules, pricing, profit splits, and honest pros and cons based on trader feedback and experience.
Account Options & Pricing
Prices shown are full price. Apex frequently offers 50-80% off promotions.
| Account Size | Monthly Fee | Profit Target | Trailing Drawdown | Max Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $147 | $1,500 | $1,500 | 4 |
| $50,000 | $167 | $3,000 | $2,500 | 10 |
| $75,000 | $187 | $4,250 | $2,750 | 12 |
| $100,000 | $207 | $6,000 | $3,000 | 14 |
| $150,000 | $297 | $9,000 | $5,000 | 17 |
| $250,000 | $517 | $15,000 | $6,500 | 27 |
| $300,000 | $677 | $20,000 | $7,500 | 35 |
With common 80% off promotions, a $50K account costs ~$35/month. Always wait for sales.
Apex Evaluation Rules
What You Must Do
- +Hit profit target - Reach the target for your account size
- +Trade 7+ days - Minimum 7 trading days required
- +Stay above drawdown - Don't let equity fall below trailing threshold
- +Close by 4:59 PM ET - All positions must be flat before close
What Will Fail You
- -Hitting trailing drawdown - Equity drops below threshold
- -Trading during news - No trading 2 min before/after major news
- -Holding overnight - Must be flat by 4:59 PM ET
- -Exceeding contract limit - Max contracts per account size
Understanding the Trailing Drawdown
The trailing drawdown is the most important rule to understand. Here's how it works:
Example: $50,000 Account
Starting balance: $50,000
Trailing drawdown threshold: $47,500 (account - $2,500)
You make $1,500 profit (equity now $51,500)
New drawdown threshold: $49,000 (moved up $1,500)
You make another $1,500 (equity now $53,000)
Drawdown threshold: $50,000 (now LOCKED at starting balance)
Once locked, your drawdown never moves again - you can now have up to $3,000 buffer.
Key insight: Build a profit buffer quickly to lock your drawdown, then trade with more freedom. Don't give back early gains.
Profit Split & Payouts
Profit Split Structure
First $25,000: 100% to you
After $25,000: 90% to you, 10% to Apex
This is one of the best splits in the industry. Most competitors offer 80-90% from the start.
Payout Schedule
Frequency: Twice monthly (1st and 15th)
Minimum: $500 per withdrawal
Methods: ACH, wire transfer, crypto
Payouts typically process within 5-7 business days after request.
Performance Account (PA) Details
After passing the evaluation, you receive a Performance Account (funded account). Here's what to know:
Honest Pros & Cons
Pros
- +No daily drawdown limit - Recover from bad mornings
- +Simple one-step evaluation - No Phase 2
- +100% of first $25K profits - Industry-leading split
- +Frequent 50-80% off promotions - Very affordable
- +Multiple account sizes - $25K to $300K options
- +Run up to 20 accounts - Scale your operation
Cons
- -$85/month PA fee - Ongoing cost after funding
- -Trailing drawdown confusion - Takes time to understand
- -Bi-weekly payouts only - Can't withdraw instantly
- -Some payout delays reported - Occasional 7-14 day waits
- -News trading restricted - Can't trade major announcements
- -No overnight holds - Must close all by 4:59 PM ET
Tips for Passing Apex Evaluations
The Verdict
Apex Trader Funding is a solid choice for futures traders, especially those who struggle with daily loss limits at other firms. The trailing-only drawdown is more forgiving, and the profit split is excellent.
The main downsides are the monthly PA fee after funding and the bi-weekly payout schedule. If you prefer weekly payouts or dislike recurring fees, consider TopStep as an alternative.
Best for: Traders who want simple rules without daily limits, and who can wait for promotional pricing to minimize evaluation costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apex Trader Funding legit?
Yes, Apex Trader Funding is a legitimate prop firm that has paid out millions to traders. They have been operating since 2021 and have a large community of funded traders. Like any prop firm, some traders report payout delays, but the majority receive their profits as expected.
What are the Apex Trader Funding rules?
Apex uses a trailing drawdown that follows your profit until it locks at your starting balance. There is no daily loss limit. You must reach the profit target ($3,000-$20,000 depending on account size) and trade minimum 7 days. No trading during major news or outside market hours.
How much does Apex Trader Funding cost?
Monthly evaluation fees range from $147 ($25K account) to $677 ($300K account). However, Apex runs frequent promotions with 50-80% off, making typical costs $35-$170. After passing, there is an $85/month Performance Account fee.
What is the Apex profit split?
Apex offers 100% of your first $25,000 in profits, then 90% after that. This is one of the best profit splits in the industry. Payouts are processed twice monthly.
How does Apex trailing drawdown work?
The trailing drawdown follows your account equity high. If you start with $50K and make $2K profit ($52K equity), your drawdown moves up to $49.5K. Once your trailing drawdown reaches your starting balance, it "locks" and becomes a static drawdown.
Can you hold positions overnight at Apex?
No, you cannot hold positions past 4:59 PM ET. All positions must be closed before the market close. Holding overnight will result in failing your evaluation or losing your funded account.
Information accurate as of December 2025. Verify current rates and terms with providers directly.
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Risk Disclosure: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Last updated: December 2025